Strategically located less than 20 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, the City of Whittlesea has long been considered a manufacturing hub in Melbourne’s North.
With its advantageous proximity to major roadways, rail networks and air links, key suburbs of Epping and Thomastown have a well defined history of playing a pivotal role in Victorian manufacturing. The top sectors within the local manufacturing industry are Food and Beverage, Machinery and Equipment and Fabricated Metal Products, collectively adding $545 million to the Australian economy.
The area provides direct access to key transportation routes enabling businesses to unlock logistical advantage as they make and move their goods and materials, as well as substantial storage and warehousing options. This geographic benefit is undoubtedly a driving force in major businesses like Inghams, Jalna, Bertocchi Smallgoods, Costa Mushrooms and Crusader Caravans, basing themselves within the region. The area also holds great appeal for start-ups and small growing businesses who want to align themselves with the innovation and prosperity being achieved in the thriving local industry.
Supported by the Federal Government’s $900 million dollar investment in the Beverage Intermodal Freight Precinct, businesses located in Melbourne’s north will greatly benefit from increased connectivity to national and international markets from late 2025 and beyond.
In 2023, 842 local manufacturing businesses provided over 9000 jobs to the rapidly growing local workforce. As the population continues to grow, these opportunities will be supported by partnerships with education providers including RMIT and Melbourne Polytechnic who have campuses in Bundoora and Epping. These local institutions play a critical role in equipping the local workforce with the required skills to meet the demands of the consistently evolving industry.
The City of Whittlesea council proactively collaborates with industry stakeholders through its Business Advisory Panel and Business Network, to ensure the municipality remains an attractive destination for businesses to invest in.
“Relocating my business to Epping in the City of Whittlesea created such a positive turning point for my manufacturing business. With strong support, encouragement, and inclusion from council staff members, I gained the additional confidence to keep going. Now, we’re exporting to a growing number of countries and increasing our manufacturing. A supportive council, I feel, is an essential tool for success,” said owner of Wine in a Glass, Michelle Anderson-Sims/
By leveraging its strategic location, continuing to foster a collaborative and innovative business ecosystem, investing in technology and infrastructure and unlocking education opportunities, the City of Whittlesea will continue to play a vital role in supporting the local, state and national manufacturing industry.
If you are a manufacturing business or supply products or services to the manufacturing industry and are considering your business location, you can arrange a confidential discussion with Council about the support your business can access to a location within the City of Whittlesea.
Learn more by visiting: https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/investopps
SOURCE: https://www.manmonthly.com.au/the-manufacturing-gateway-to-local-national-and-international-markets/
